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Sunflower shoots are back in January 2025!

Well - lucky for you - this January, I’m offering a unique opportunity for family photos, couple portraits, engagement shoots, or you know what - even epic branding photos - in a stunning field of sunflowers in Gladstone, Wairarapa. If I’ve piqued your interest and you’ve gotta know more - it’s time to whip yourself up a cuppa and settle in for a read, because here’s everything you need to know about this one-day-only sunflower shoot.The detailsMark your calendars for January, with the...

Choosing to Do a Family Shoot at Home

While studio shoots have their perks (like consistent light, a controlled environment, and a selection of backgrounds and props), there’s something wonderfully relaxed and candid about a photoshoot in your own home, surrounded by your own things, and in a space that reflects your family.So - if you’re stuck on location ideas for your family shoot - this one might convince you to go for an at-home photoshoot!Part one: the perks of a photo shoot at homeRelaxed and candid: Home is a place of co...

Embracing Authenticity: Why you might not like photos of yourself (and how to change that)

My job when you book a photoshoot with me is to empower you, make you feel confident and comfortable. But we’re all up against so much pressure - especially with social media and unrealistic beauty standards these days.I recently watched Teri Hofford's TEDx talk, "5 Reasons You Look Bad in Photos." - and boy oh boy, did it resonate with me. It resonated so deeply because it aligns with what I've been discussing with clients for years. It’s all about mindset, expectations, and self love.I'd h...

What is Birth Photography and Should You Consider It?

Look - I’ll start out by saying it’s not for everyone - and that’s okay! The birth of a child is a time filled with raw emotion, strength, and love. Some people might choose to have a photographer present to capture documentary images of their child’s birth, and this is a deeply personal decision - so today, I thought I’d share a bit about what birth photography is, what it involves, and why you might consider it if you’re expecting your wee one!What is birth photography?Birth photog...

Do I Need to Do a Maternity Shoot?

Pregnancy is a unique and transformative time in a woman’s life. It’s a period filled with anticipation, excitement - and, of course, a bit of nervousness, let’s be honest. You might be on the fence about a maternity shoot - maybe you’re not feeling your best, or you aren’t sure whether it’s worth the investment. I believe that a maternity shoot is not just about capturing beautiful images; it’s about celebrating the incredible journey you’re going through, and it’s ultima...

Embracing Uneven Wedding Parties: Why It's No Problem and How to Make It Work

Whether you have more bridesmaids than groomsmen, or vice versa - or you’re doing something a bit different for your bridal party - it’s important to remember that this is not only okay but can also add a unique and personal touch to your big day! Some of my favourite weddings have had uneven bridal parties.So, to ease your mind - here’s why having an uneven wedding party is no problem at all, along with tips on making it work in photos, at the top of the aisle, and throughout your special...

Why You Should Book a Sibling Photoshoot (at Any Age!)

Document the unique relationships that grow and evolve between you over the years. Whether you’re keen to book in a shoot for your newborn and their older silbing - or you’re big kids now and want some photos with your brother or sister - here’s why booking a sibling photoshoot, no matter the age, is a fantastic idea (plus some tips and suggestions to make it truly special!)First up - why it’s a great idea!Sibling relationships are often the longest-lasting bonds we have in life! A photo...

What to Do If Your Wedding Venue Cancels: Stay Calm and Get Creative

So here’s hoping the worst doesn’t happen - but if it does, here are some creative ideas and backup plans if you find yourself needing to quickly find a new venue, inspired by recent clients who embraced the craziness and rolled with things, to ultimately have a romantic, love-filled, gorgeous wedding day.Step One: Stay Calm and Assess Your OptionsFirst and foremost, take a deep breath. Panicking won’t help the situation, and a clear mind is essential for problem-solving. Once you’ve had...

Time to update your corporate headshots? I’m here to help!

The importance of having an up to date corporate headshotUltimately, it comes down to making sure your headshot reflects your current self, and presents you in the right light. An outdated headshot can be misleading and unprofessional - even if you mean well and choose an old corporate photo, you want to be genuine, and it’s essential to ensure that your headshot reflects your current appearance and style. It shows people - whether it’s potential clients, interviewers or colleagues - that yo...

Choosing a family photoshoot location with meaning

I’m always happy to suggest location ideas for family photoshoots - it’s one of my most often asked questions! But if you’re trying to think of spots that tell a little of your family’s story, I’ve popped together a bit of a guide to point you in the right direction. Plus, I’ve included a few of my favourite locations in the Wellington area, as a little bit of inspo!How to Choose the Perfect LocationChoosing the right location, and time of day, can make all the difference in your pho...

Styling a first birthday shoot: capturing the magic of your baby’s first year!

Here are a few reasons why it’s worth booking in a first birthday studio session with me - plus some ideas and inspiration for how we can style the shoot to add some of your little soon-to-be-toddler’s personality!Celebrate the milestone and make some memoriesYour baby’s first year has been packed with so many “firsts” – first smile, first steps, and now, the first birthday! A photoshoot is the perfect way to capture the magic of this special time. Whether it’s bub’s eyes lightin...

Elevating your business with corporate photography (your FAQs answered!)

It’s coming into that time of year - where plenty of businesses are thinking about updating their websites, inducting new team members, or generating annual reports. So I thought - what better time to pop together some of my most frequently asked questions around corporate and business photography! First of all - what exactly is corporate photography? Essentially, it’s an umbrella for photos that businesses and corporates might need for their websites, social media, marketing materials,...

FAQ- Your wedding photography questions answered!

How far in advance do I need to book in my wedding photography? Got your wedding date sorted? Perfect timing to lock in your photographer too! In terms of booking and confirming your vendors, I recommend prioritising your venue and photographer, as because they typically can only take one wedding per date, they’re in high demand and can quickly get booked up! The ideal timeframe for booking me in varies, but I would aim to secure your photographer at least 9 to 12 months in advance i...

My top 5 ideas for a small intimate wedding

From a photographer’s point of view, it means I can really focus on capturing the special people you’ve chosen to be there – enjoying every moment, celebrating, laughing, all those gorgeous candid shots. With less guests to cover, things have a more relaxed vibe, and there’s more flexibility and time to focus on those intricate details and touches that make your wedding day special too. Today, I’m sharing my top small wedding ideas, tips and tricks, to inspire your wedding plannin...

5 tips to get the best Wedding day family photos

Today, I’m here to talk about my five favourite ways to make wedding day family photos fun – as they should be! I want the whole process to be enjoyable, engaging, and (most importantly) I want you to have images you want to display on your wall, your parents wall, or show off in a snazzy new photo album! Family photos make the perfect gift to the parents. (Handy hint – it’s a great way to please the new in-laws at Christmas!).1. Planning your wedding day family photosA little bit of tim...

Studio Maternity Shoot – What to Expect

Like most photographers who offer pregnancy and maternity photography, I offer options for both location-based shoots and studio-based maternity shoots – so today, I’m diving into all the best bits of choosing a studio maternity photoshoot.What the difference between location and studio maternity photography, and which is right for me?It’s all in the name, really – but each shoot has its own benefits and perks! A maternity studio shoot with me tends to be more structured with more poses ...

My top 5 Tips for planning a New Zealand wedding from overseas

Are you living overseas, and dreaming of the perfect New Zealand wedding? I’ve got great news for you – because your dreams are finally able to come true! To get you even more excited, I’m sharing my top five tips to help you plan your dream New Zealand wedding from afar. 1. Get in early when planning a New Zealand wedding from overseas New Zealand is a small place, with a lot of small industries – and that includes the New Zealand wedding industry! Vendors and suppliers tend t...

The importance of having family photographs taken

Life moves fast. Kids grow fast. Scarily fast. As someone who sees my clients only as their families grow and they reach huge milestones, I really get to see how fast things move more than most.Most clients will book me in on their wedding day, and then I’ll get an excited call when they find out they’re pregnant and want to book in for a maternity shoot. Next – it’s their newborn! Then first birthday, fifth birthday and maybe every few years from then on. I am always blown away to see a...

5 tips for planning a DIY wedding

A DIY wedding is perfect for someone who loves the little handmade details and taking the time to craft something from scratch. A handy way to find out if that’s you – do you venture down the rabbit hole of DIY Youtube videos to master a new craft? Do you have lots of time on your hands and a long lead time until your wedding date? If you answered yes to all the above questions, then consider doing a DIY wedding – or even incorporating a couple of DIY elements into your day! (Don’t ...

The Why, What and How of Business Branding Photography

Before I started my own photography business, I worked with a commercial photographer – working on product photos, people photos, location photos and everything in between. Now, I use that experience to create great business branding images for clients.If you’re thinking about getting a set of business branding photos done for your website, social media or marketing materials (or, if you just want to know a wee bit more about what it entails) then grab a cuppa and keep reading…WHY: Busines...

A daytime wedding with Tracy and Steve

Enter – their drop-dead gorgeous, laughter and smile-filled morning ceremony and lunch reception. A daytime wedding is one of my new favourite things. I loved this decision for a number of reasons. Yes – one of these reasons was because I didn’t find myself driving home in the dark after a long day, as I usually do. But the best thing about their daytime wedding was it felt so much more relaxed, which was super important to Tracy and Steve.Weddings can be stressful occasions at the be...

Baby sitter sessions – when is a good time to capture your baby?

This is a question I often get asked by my clients when they’re picking up their newborn artwork. Like with many of the questions I get asked, it’s really up to each family, and what they want to do! If they want to capture their child’s progression from newborn to toddler, there are some fantastic options I offer which you can read all about here. However, if they’re after just a single shot to capture their baby in that in-between phase – while they’re still a baby, not quite a tod...

Awake newborn photography – what happens when your newborn won’t sleep

In newborn photography sessions, I always transform the studio into an ideal environment for a newborn to sleep. I keep it super warm, cosy and calm. Those perfectly sleepy newborn photos are usually captured in the small window between when a baby is settling and feeding, as well as working around background changes (and, of course, nappy changes!).  One of the most common questions I get asked by new parents, therefore, is – but what happens if my baby won’t sleep during the shoo...

A perfect Garden wedding at Anam Cara

Less than an hour from Wellington, Anam Cara has a whopping 10 stunning acres of the most incredible manicured gardens. There’s also a gorgeous main house which is available to rent for your bridal preparation. As well as the groom’s quarters in a separate part of the gardens – so there’s enough room for everyone to get ready onsite! This is a rare find, and is part of the reason that Anam Cara is one of my absolute favourite venues.There are so many amazing spots to have your ceremony, ...

My top tips when going with a large wedding party

1. WHAT ABOUT THE DRESSES AND THE SUITS?Everyone has different body shapes, sizes, hair colour and skin tones, so why not let everyone choose an outfit they feel comfortable and flattered in? You don’t necessarily have to let them have complete free reign, but perhaps give them a broad colour, style or cut to go for, and let them wear pieces they already have, or buy something that they’ll wear again.For example – not everyone will feel comfortable in the strapless yellow dress you had in ...